Mounting means for electric snap switches



Nov. 24, 1936. A. w. KRIEGER 2,062,006

MOUNTING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCHES Filed April 22, 1955 Insulation J 1 looa loo 58 109120 n4 :06f nz Q [00 Agg Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE MOUNTING MEANS Foa ELEo'raIo 'SNAP SWITCHES poration of Delaware Application April 22,

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mounting means for electric snap switches.

This application is a continuation in part oi my y Patent No. 1,998,962, dated April 23, 1935,1or improvements in Electric snap switches.

An object oi the invention is to provide novel mounting means for electric snap switches of the tool-handle type.

Another object is to provide novel forms of sup- 10 porting means for electric snap switches to adapt the same for concealed mounting in different types of tool-handles or the like.

Another object is to provide novel means for mounting an electric snap switch in the pistol grip handle of an electric motor operated vacuum cleaner or the like.

Another and more specific object is to provide an improved form of insulating pistol grip or handle for vacuum cleaners or the like.

Another object is to provide a longitudinally divided molded insulating pistol grip handle having novel means for retaining the switch and the coiled wire conductor guard in assembled relationship thereto.

Another object is to provide a molded insulating pistol grip handle of the character afore- A mentioned whereby wiring of the switch is facilitated, and whereby assembly oi! .the wired switch with respect to the handle is likewise facilitated.

Another object is to provide novel means affording a rigid mechanical connection between the molded insulating pistol grip and the tubular metal handle or shaft of a vacuum cleaner or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

'I'he accompanying drawing illustrates certain embodiments of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that the embodiments illustrated are susceptible of modiiication in respect of certain details of construction thereof without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a sectional view of the tubular handle of a vacuum cleaner or the like, showing my improved insulating pistol grip and snap switch combination applied thereto,-a ro portion ot one of the molded sections of insulation being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but showing in top plan the snap switch in its assembled position.

55 Fig. 3 is a sectional View Q11 @ht-11.11.@ 3 3 Of .Fig-

1935, semi No. 17,605.

(c1. zoo-s1) l, but embodying an end elevational view of the snap switch.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of an electric snap switch of the character illustrated in the combination oi Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view ot certain of the switch parts shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 5.

. but showing a modied form of metal parts to provide the switch superstructure.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, showing the elements of Fig. 6 in assembled relation, and

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the insulating actuator of the switch.

Referring rst to Fig. 4, wherein I have shown an electric snap switch generally similar to that disclosed in my Patent No..1,998,962, aforementioned. The numeral 25 designates a base molded from a suitable insulating material. I prefer to employ material of the phenol-formaldehyde condensation type, such as that sold under the trade name of bakelite. Base 25 is provided with a relatively large substantially rectangular recess 26 and a pair oi relatively smaller substantially rectangular recesses, one of which is shown at 28. Said relatively smaller recesses have portions of different depths whereby intermediate shoulders are provlded,-the relatively deeper portions of said recesses having bottom walls located closely adjacent to the bottom surface 25b of base 25, whereby relatively thin insulating diaphragms are formed integrally with the base, as shown at 28. These diaphragms may be readily removed by broaching to accommodate bottom wiring terminal elements of the character illustrated in said prior Patent No. 1,998,962. However, the switch in Fig. 4 is arranged for end wiring, and accordingly said diaphragms are left intact.

'I'hus I provide a pair oi.' right-hand and lefthand one-piece combined contact and wiring terminal members, the right-hand member being designated by the numeral 49; and said members have attached to the terminal portions thereof, as by spot-Welding, brazing or soldering, a pair of right-hand and left-hand punched and stamped sheet metal members,the right-hand member being shown at 51. Said last mentioned members are tapped to accommodate the shanks of wiring terminal screws 58, and each member has a flange, such as 51h, surrounding its tapped opening. Interposed between said members is an insulating member 59 of cylindrical form, said insulating member having alined recesses (one of v thereof to provide clearance for the shanks of screws and to receivethe flanges aforementioned to provide for support of said member by said flanges. Member is provided intermediate the length thereof with an integral inner diaphragm, as described in my Patent No.` 1,998,962.

Recess 25 is provided in its opposed walls with a pair oi' vertical ribs, one of which is shown at 52,-the upper nds of said ribs being respectively provided with open bearings, one of which is shown at 82', to accommodate the integral pivot lugs of a substantially U-shaped flat punched sheet metal contactor 53. Said contactor may be of the form illustrated in detail in my Patent No. 1,905,914, dated April'25, 1933. The switch assembly likewise preferably comprises a pair of relatively thin, flat punched plates 50 and 6| of insulating material,said plates having alined openings to accommodate the rivets 55, and alined relatively narrow straight-sided slots 00, 8|e to provide clearance for and to act as a guide for the insulating actuating element 12, the form of which is best illustrated in Fig. 8, and in my Patent No. 1,998,962.

I have shown a novel form of actuating lever |00 and a novel form of supporting means therefor. Thus in the device of Figs. 4 and 5 I provide a metal member having a fiat portion 0| provided with openings |0|l and |0|b to receive the shanks of rivets 35 which may be upset thereover (Fig. 4) to clamp the insulating plates 50, 6| in position. Member |0| is provided with intermediate upstanding parallel arms |0|c and |0|d between which the lever is positioned,-said arms and said lever having registering openings.

to receiver the pivot pin |04,-an intermediate portion of said pin being swaged or otherwise enlarged (Fig. 4) to afford a drive fit thereof within the lever opening. The punched and stamped sheet metal top plate |05 has an opening |05* to afford assembling clearance for the knob portion |00l of lever |00. Extending inwardly and bent downwardly with respect to opening |05* are alined pairs of lugs |05h and |05, forming alined notches |05d and |05e the side walls of vwhich are adapted to straddle lever |00 to prevent sidewise displacement of the latter. Top plate |05 is preferably provided with integral downwardly extending parallel flanges or projections |05f, |05l,-said flanges being adapted to overlap the arms |0|, ||||d of member |0| and the opposite ends of pin |04 to insure against endwise displacement of the latter, and to thereby further assist in preventing sidewise displacement of lever |00. As shown the arms |0|, |0|d are provided with reduced upper ends |0|e and |0|I which extend upwardly into opening |05 in top plate |05. and are retained in parallelism by the flanges jacent to the respective flanges.

Member 0| is provided at one end with an arm |0|S bent upwardly at substantially a right angle with respect thereto, and provided with a pair of openings |0|h and |0|1. Member |0| is provided at its other end with a relatively longer upwardly angled arm |0 I1, the upper end portion |0Ik of which initially extends upwardly and outwardly at a slight angle to the vertical, and said portion |0|k is provided with a pair of openings |0|1, I0 Im. Arm |0 IJ is punched out to provide an opening |0 |u which affords clearance for a coiled tension spring when a switch of the momentary contact type is desired. The` portion |0|k' is' notched at |0| to facilitate attachment Q f 911e hooked end oi the spring,the otherl hooked end of which spring would be engaged with the wall of opening |00 in lever |00.

The flanges |05f, |05', of top plate |05 are provided at opposite ends with lugs |05, |051, |051 and |055. The lugs |051, |05l may be freely inserted into the aforementioned openings |0|*\, |0|1, and the lugs |055, |051 are brought to a position to provide for cooperative engagement of the openings |0|l, and |0|m therewith upon bending of portion |0|k inwardly to a vertical plane (see Fig. 4). All of said lugs are then riveted or upset (as shown at |051, |05k in Fig. 4) to rigidly secure top plate |05 to member |0|. The lever |00 is provided with an edge portion |00c which engages member |0| to limit counterclockwise movement of said lever, and the same is further provided with an edge portion |00d which is engageable with top plate |05 to limit the degree of clockwise movement of said lever. Top plate |05 is preferably provided with four tapped openings |051, |051, |05n and |05 which are spaced predetermined distances apart to provide for cooperative engagement of a pair of securing screws with any lone of a number of selective pairs of said openings, when the switch is intended for concealed mounting within one of the various forms of metal tool handles now on the market. The spring and abutment member interposed between the lower end of actuator 12 and contactor y33 are of the character shown in my Patent No. 1,998,962. In Figs. 1 to 3, however, I have shown the switch of Figs. 4 and 5 mounted within or carried by a two-part longitudinally divided insulating handle of the pistol grip type,the two halves of said pistol grip being designated by the numerals |05 and |01 respectively. Said parts- |05 and |01 are also preferably molded from insulating material of the phenol-formaldehyde condensation type, sold commercially under the trade name of bal-IeIite. Said halves are preferably in the form of complementary shells, the wallsof which however, are of sufficient thickness to avoid fracture or breaking thereof even though subjected to comparatively rough usage. 'I'he surrounding walls of said halves |00, |01 have flat edges or surfaces which are notched or interrupted only at three points, namely; at |05* |01*l to provide clearance for the hat` sheet metal actuating lever |00; at the point represented by numeral |01b (the part |06 being complementally formed with respect thereto) to provide for passage of the cord |08, comprising conductors |09, ||0, from and to a suitable source of current supply; and at the point |05", |01s through which the conductors pass to and from the motor (not shown) of a vacuum cleaner or the like.

The halves |06 and |01 are provided with complementary recesses |054, |01d adapted to receive with a rather snug fit the lower end of the insulating base portion 25 of the switch; and said halves are further provided with complementary recesses to likewise receive with a fairly snug t the superstructure of the switch comprising member |0| and top plate |05. When the switch is clamped between the halves |05. |01 the former will be restrained against movement in any direction relatively to the latter. Said complementary recesses are of course so arranged as to insure proper positioning of the switch actuating lever |00 with respect to the notches |05", |01n aforementioned. With the arrangement illustrated the knob |00"of the switch lever extends upwardly from that portion of the vacuum cleaner handie which is alined withthe usual tubular handle portion of such a device.

The metal tube I is preferably of the seamless type, but is preferably provided with a single split or keri in the lower side thereof (as indicated at lli* in Fig. 1), which kerf extends throughout the major portion of the length of that end of the insulating handle which is telescoped into tube Said tube is provided with two pairs of alined openings, as shown in Fig. 2,- the portions of-the tube around said openings being bent inwardly to provide recesses or countersinks to accommodate the conical portions of the heads of the respective pairs of screw members H2, ||3 and ||4, H6. Members IIJ and ||5 have externally threaded shanks and members ||2 and ||4 have internally threaded recesses to accommodate said shanks to provide for telescopic engagement of said pairs of members with each other.

metal 'I'he insulating members |06 and |01 are pro` vided with lateral grooves or depressions |061, |01f to accommodate said inwardly bent portions of tube III (Fig. 2), and said insulating members are provided with alined pairs of openings to accommodate with a fairly close fit the shank portions of the respective screw members. By tightening the respective pairs of screw members the split end of tube I is brought into clamping engagement with the telescoped end of the insulating handle, and the two halves of insulation are clamped together at said end thereof. A rigid mechanical connection between the insulating handle and the metal tube is thus provided.

'Ihe rear end portion of the insulating handle is angled downwardly into the form of a pistol grip. The major portion of said rear end is hol-l lowed out, except fory the provision of a pair of integral studs or projections within each of the complementary cavities. The studs carried by member |06 are shown in dotted lines at |06', |06h in Fig. 1, and said studs are respectively provided with tapped recesses, one of which is shown at |041` in Fig. 2. The studs carried by member |0'I are adapted to register with and abut against the studs of ,member |06,-and as shown at |01u inZFlg'; 2 the former studs are respectively provided with through passages to freely accommodate the shanks of a pair of securing screws one of which is shown at ||6,-the outer Asurface of member |01 being provided with countersinks to accommodate the tapered portions of the screw heads.

The cord |00 which preferably comprises the pair `of rubber covered or otherwise individually insulated conductors |09, ||0 is led to the insulating handle through a coiled wire guard member ||1, one end of the coil being covered by a metal sleeve or ferrule ||8 and the otherend thereof being positioned within and attached to a metal member ||9,-the latter having an intermediate flange or projection H9 which fits snugly within a pair of complementary recesses formed in members |06 and |01; one of said recesses being shown at |01j in Fig. 1.

A portion of the covering of cord |08 is removed and the wire |09, for instance, is severed to provide for attachment of one of the severed ends thereof to one of thev switch terminalsthe other severed end of wire |09 being attached to the opposite terminal ofthe switch. 'I'he wire |09 then passes to the motor of the vacuum cleaner or the like,the wire 0 as shown leading to the motor without interruption in the continuity thereof. A grounding wire |20 is preferably connected between a portion of the motor frame and the nrst mentioned terminal of the switch. as best illustrated in Fig. 2.'

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that it is only necessary to wire the switch, then position the latter and the cord guard ||9 within one of the insulating sections of the pistol grip; whereupon the other insulating section may be placed in clamping position, and the forward end of the pistol grip telescoped into the split end of tube Thereafter the pairs oi' screw members ||2, H3,l |4, ||6 and the pair of screws (one of which is shown at H6) are inserted and tightened to afford a complete assembly of the insulating pistol grip and switch parts. Also it will be noted that the switch lever |00 is so located with respect to the pistol grip as to facilitate control of the supply of current to the motor by the thumb of that hand of the operator which is engaged with the pistol grip.

The switch superstructure illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 is composed substantially entirely of parts like those shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 18 of my Patent No. 1,998,962. Thus in Figs. 6 and '7 I provide a metal member having a flat portion 64 provided with openings 64', 64b to receive the shanks of rivets 36 which may be upset thereover (Fig. 7) to clamp the insulating plate or plates (not shown) in position. Member 64 is provided with intermediate upstanding parallel arms 65 and 66 between which the fiat punched sheet metal actuating lever |00 is positioned-said arms and said lever having registering openings to freely receive the pivot pin |04". A punched and stamped sheet metal top plate 60 is provided with an opening 68l to afford assembling clearance for the knob or trigger portion |00l of lever |00, and communicating with opening 60al are alined notches 60h, 66 the side walls of which are adapt-v ed to straddle lever 00 (Fig. 7) to prevent sidewise displacement thereof. Top plate 68 is provided with integral downwardly extending parallel flanges 68d, 68,said flanges being adapted to overlap the arms 65, 66 of member 64 and the opposite ends of pin |04s to prevent endwise displacement of the latter. As shown the arms 65,v 66

are provided with reduced upper ends 65, 66* which extend upwardly into opening 6B* in top plate 60, whereby the latter is adapted to rest upon the horizontal shoulders 65h, 65c and 66h, 66 thus provided on arms 66, 66.

Member 64 is provided at one end with an upwardly angled arm 69 having a vertically extendving portion 69Il the end of which is reduced, as at 69h, whereby horizontal shoulders 69. |59d are provided. Member 64 is provided at its other end with a relatively longer upwardly angled arm 10 having a vertically extending portion 10 the end of which is reduced, as at 10b, whereby horizontal shoulders 10c, 10d are provided.

Arm 10 is punched out to provide an opening 10 and a lug 101, the latter being provided with an opening 10!z to accommodate the hooked end 1|*i of a coiled tension spring 1|,-the other hooked end 1li? of said spring being attached to lever |00, as shown in Fig. '7. Lever |00 is thus. biased to a position to effect opening of the switch contacts (not shown). It is to be understood. however, that the spring 1| may be omitted where a switch of the momentary contact type is not required.

Top plate 68 is provided with openings 68|, 682 to accommodate the reduced ends 10b, 69h, respectively, aforementioned, whereby said top 4 aoeaooe plate is also adapted to rest upon the horizontal shoulders 10, 104, and 00, 004. Said ends 10b. Il are then upset or riveted over the upper surface of top plate I0, as shown in Fig. '1, to rigidly and permanently secure said parts in assembled position. Lever |00 is provided with a projection the lower edge |00 of which is' engageable with member M and the upper edge |00*l of which is engageable with top plate 00, whereby movement `of said lever in opposite directions is limited.

spaced openings provided in tool handles now on the market. As will be apparent, the switch superstructure illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, having the aforedescribed insulating base 2l and the other parts of the complete switch attached thereto, may be employed in the insulating pistol grip handle illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3,-the return spring 1| of Fig. 'I being either included or omitted, as desired. y

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a punched and stamped sheet metal member, said member having a pair of intermediate upstanding parallel arms, a flat punched sheet metal actuating lever positioned between said arms, said arms and said lever having alined pivot openings, a pivot pin insertable within said openings, a top' plate secured to said metal member, said top plate having an opening to permit passage of the enlarged upper end of said lever, said top plate also having notches communicating with said opening to receive the opposed edges of said lever whereby the same is restrained against relative lateral displacement, said lever having a substantially rectangular notch in the lower edge thereof, and an insulating member of substantially T-shape having the upper end thereof positioned within said notchand engageable fiatwrse by the opposed walls of the latter, said upper end of said insulating member being positioned between said ilrst mentioned arms and restrained thereby against relative lateral displacement, the lower end of said insulating member being formed to provide an abutment.

2. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a main recess and a pair of auxiliary recesses, stationary and movable contact elements positioned within said main recess and wiring terminal elements'positioned within said auxiliary recesses, an insulating plate overlying said contact and terminal elements to retain the same within the respective recesses, a punched and stamped sheet metal member secured to said base in` clamping engagement with said insulating plate, said member having intermediate upstanding parallel arms, an actuating lever positioned between said arms, said lever and said arms having alined' engagement with said parallel end portions of said member. and certain of said end portions being upset over other of the same respectively to thereby rigidly secure said parts in assembled relationship to each other. l

3. In an electric snap switch, in combination. a molded insulating base having a main recess and a pair of vauxiliary recesses, stationary and movable contact elements positioned within said main recess and wiring terminal elements positioned within said auxiliary recesses, an insulating plate overlying said contact and terminal elements to retain the same within the respective recesses, a punched and stamped sheet metal member secured to said base in clamping engagement with said insulating plate, said member having intermediate upstanding parallel arms, an actuating lever positioned between said arms, said lever and said arms having alined pivot openings, a pivot` pin insertable into said openings, a metal top plate having an opening to accommodate said lever, said top plate having downwardly extending ilanges engageable with said pivot pin to prevent endwise displacement of the latter, said member having integral parallel end portions of reduced width providing a plurality of spaced shoulders located in a common plane, said top plate being adapted to seat against said shoulders and having openings to accommodate said end portions of reduced width, and said -end portions being upset over said top plate to secure said parts in assembled relationship to each other.

4. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a recessedmolded insulatingbase. a punched and stamped sheet metal member secured to the upper surface thereof, said member having intermediate upstanding parallel arms, an actuating lever positioned between said arms, said lever and said arms having alined pivot openings, a pivot pin freely insertable into said openings, a metal top plate having an opening to accommo date said lever, said top plate having downwardly extending flanges overlying the ends of said pin to prevent displacement of the latter, said member also having end arms bent upwardly atl an angle to the main body thereof, said last mentioned arms being additionally bent to provide end portions of equal height arranged in parallel relationship to each other, said end portions being of reduced width whereby horizontal shoulders are provided, said top plate being adapted to seat upon said shoulders and having openings to accommodate said reduced end portions, the latter being upset over said top plate to rigidly and permanently secure said parts in assembled relation, one of said arms being cut away to provide a lug, said lug and said lever having open- 'ings formed therein, and a coiled tension spring having hooked ends to respectively engage the walls of said openings, whereby said lever is normally biased to a given extreme position, the cutaway portion of said end arm also providing clearance for said spring.

5. In combination, an electric snap switch comprising a molded insulating base of substantially rectangular contour, a metallic superstructure rigidly attached to said base at the upper surface thereof, a fiat punched sheet metal actuating lever pivotally supported by said superstructure and extending upwardly therefrom, a pistol grip comprising a pair of longitudinally mated sections formed of molded insulating material, the adjacent faces oi said sections being complementally recessed to accommodate said-switch base and suitable form, the actuating lever of said switchv superstructure therebetween, the walls of the complementary recesses forming the sole means for restraining the switch against dislocation relatively to the pistol grip when saidsectionsare in assembled relation, said sections having complementary grooves formed therein to provide operating clearance for the lever,means for removably retaining said sections in assembled relation, said means comprising a split tubular shaft end into which the forward portion of said pistol grip is adapted to telescope, a pair of screw threaded .members penetrating said split shaft end and said sections to provide a frictional connection and a positive connection therebetween, and a pair of screw threaded members penetrating one of said sections and engaging integral threaded portions of the other section at the rear portion of the pistol grip to assist in retaining the parts in assembled relation.

6. A pistol grip for vacuum cleaner handles and the like, said pistol grip comprising two longitudinally extending complementary molded parts of extending upwardly from the straight forward portion of said pistol grip to provide for operation of said lever by the thumb df a hand engaging said pistol grip, the walls of the complementary recesses within said parts forming the sole means for restraining said switch against displacement relatively thereto when said parts are in assembled relation, portions formed integrally with said insulating parts and extending downwardly from the straight forward portion of the pistol grip, said integral portions being recessed to provide a forwardly and downwardly extending passage, the walls of said passage being formed to provide for interlocking engagement thereof with a coiled wire cord guard. of suitable form, means for rigidly but removably retaining said insulating parts in assembled relation, said means including a split tubular handle member into which the forward portion of said pistol grip is adapted to extend to a predetermined degree, and a plurality of sets of externally and internally threaded members penetrating said split handle member and said forward portion of the pistol grip to frictionally and positively interlocl:y

said parts with each other.

ALVIN W. KRIEGER. 

